Australia condemns Myanmar over Rohingya repression

Australia has urged Myanmar to allow the return of Rohingya refugees and grant entry to international human rights observers to the country.

Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s meeting in Geneve, the charge d’affaires of Australia’s mission to the UN, Lachlan Strahan condemned the voilence in the south-east Asian state and said that the guilty “must be held to account”.

“Australia reiterates its deep concern about events in Rakhine state, including reports of widespread and systematic human rights violations and abuses by Myanmar security forces and local vigilantes,” Strahan said.

“Australia reiterates its call for a thorough, credible and independent investigation, including through the fact-finding mission,” he added.

Over 65,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Myanmar since the beginning of the latest round of violence, began in August.